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Men's volleyball signs Pennsylvania standout

November 21, 2013

Men's volleyball signs Pennsylvania standout

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Head coach Mark Pavlik and his staff have announced the addition of Lee Smith, who has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Penn State men's volleyball team at the start of the 2015 season.

The 6-6 outside hitter from Sewickley, Pa. recently competed in the 2013 Boys' Youth National Volleyball training camp, after previously playing on the 2012 team that competed in the 2012 NORCECA Boys' Youth Continental Championship.

Lee also plays on the Beaver Valley Premier club team. In the last three consecutive years, he has played at the USAV High Performance Championships, earning three silver medals at the National Division.

"We are pleased to welcome Lee to the team," head coach Mark Pavlik said. "I am excited for his future as he brings a tradition of winning from Ambridge High School and head coach Glenn Freed."

At Ambridge Area High School, Lee helped guide the Bridgers to WPIAL titles in 2012 and 2013, as well as second-place finish in the 2013 PIAA Tournament and a third-place finish in the 2012 PIAA Tournament. He was team captain of the 2012 squad and earned three consecutive MVP honors from 2011 to 2013.

Lee also picked up WPIAL First Team All-Selection honors in 2011, 2012 and 2013, as well as District 7 First Team honors in all three seasons, garnering MVP honors in 2012 and 2013.

"His skills in hitting and blocking will aid him as he develops at the collegiate level," Pavlik said. "He is a competitor who has been successful at every level in which he has been involved and I am sure that will continue as a Nittany Lion."

Penn State kicks off the 2014 season on the road at the Outrigger Invitational in Honolulu, Hawaii from January 9th to January 11th. The challenging tournament features matches against UCLA, Hawaii and Ohio State.